DETROIT — The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Detroit opened seasonal air facilities in Muskegon and in Waukegan, Illinois this month as a way to enhance air coverage across Lake Michigan during the busy summer months.
The move addresses the expansive geography of Lake Michigan, which stretches more than 300 miles long and covers more than 22,000 square miles of water — an area roughly equivalent to Maryland, Delaware and Massachusetts combined.
Air Station Detroit responds to nearly 100 search and rescue calls annually, with most occurring between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The seasonal facilities will position crews closer to potential emergencies, improving response times for boaters in distress across the lake…